Abstract
Background: The aim of this study was to assess the diagnostic and therapeutic impact of preoperative positron emission tomography and computed tomography (PET/CT) in the initial staging of patients with early-stage breast cancer. Patients and methods: A total of 103 consecutive patients with newly diagnosed operable breast cancer with tumors ≥2 cm were independently examined preoperatively with conventional assessment (mammography, breast/axillary ultrasound, chest X-ray and blood samples) and PET/CT with no prior knowledge of the other. Results: PET/CT identified a primary tumor in all but three patients (97%). PET/CT solely detected distant metastases (ovary, bones and lung) in 6 patients and new primary cancers (ovary, lung) in another two patients, as well as 12 cases of extra-axillary lymph node involvement. In 15 patients (15%), extra-axillary malignancy was detected by PET/CT only, leading to an upgrade of initial staging in 14% (14/103) and ultimately a modification of planned treatment in 8% (8/103) of patients. Conclusions: PET/CT is a valuable tool to provide information on extra-axillary lymph node involvement, distant metastases and other occult primary cancers. Preoperative. 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose-PET/CT has a substantial impact on initial staging and on clinical management in patients with early-stage breast cancer with tumors ≥2 cm.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Journal | Annals of Oncology |
| Volume | 23 |
| Issue number | 9 |
| Pages (from-to) | 2277-82 |
| Number of pages | 6 |
| ISSN | 0923-7534 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Sept 2012 |
Keywords
- Adult
- Aged
- Breast Neoplasms
- Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast
- Carcinoma, Lobular
- Diagnosis, Differential
- Female
- Fluorodeoxyglucose F18
- Humans
- Lymphatic Metastasis
- Middle Aged
- Neoplasm Staging
- Positron-Emission Tomography and Computed Tomography
- Preoperative Care
- Prospective Studies
- Radiopharmaceuticals
- Sensitivity and Specificity
